Page 18 of An Unlikely Knight

“Mum,” Erin cut in, diverting her mother’s attention. “Do you believe some people have abilities beyond explanation? Like seeing the future, casting spells … that sort of thing?”

Lauren blinked, clearly thrown by the abrupt change in subject. “I suppose so,” she said after a pause. “I’ve always had a strong sense of danger when something bad will happen. Remember when I was worried about your father, and then he nearly drowned?”

Erin bit back a smile. “Mum, when he fell in the loch, he was wearing a life vest. He wasn’t exactly drowning.”

Lauren dismissed this with an airy wave. “He swallowed water and was very startled.”

Erin shook her head, amused, but pressed on. “Does anyone in our family have ‘the gift?’” She made air quotes around the words.

Her mother’s gaze sharpened. “Why the sudden interest? Has something strange happened?”

“Nothing big really,” Erin lied, keeping her voice casual. “I went to a book signing. The author, Daniella McFadden, claims to be a foreteller. She said something about a big change coming in my life. I wonder if it’s true.”

Lauren smiled knowingly. “Oh, darling, of course it’s true. Everyone experiences changes. That’s just how life works.”

Erin let out a soft laugh, but her mother wasn’t finished. “You should go to one of Evalyn’s seances,” she suggested. “They’re quite eye-opening.”

“I didn’t know you went to Evalyn’s,” Erin said, surprised. “Who were you trying to contact?”

Her mother’s expression became solemn, and Erin held her breath. “I thought your grandfather might tell me where he hid his money. I know there’s cash tucked away somewhere in that rambling house of his.”

Erin fought the urge to roll her eyes. “Grand is still alive, Mum. Why don’t you just ask him?”

“He says he doesn’t remember if he hid money or not. But as old as he is, I’m sure part of his spirit is already in the other world.”

That was too much. Lauren burst into laughter, and Erin and Aubrey couldn’t help but join in.

“I’m kidding,” Lauren admitted between chuckles. “Honestly, I just ran out of excuses to get out of Evalyn’s invitations. I was curious, so I went to see what it was about.”

“And?” Aubrey prompted. “What happened?”

Lauren shrugged. “Not much. The table shook a little. Someone claimed they heard a whisper. Then Evalyn dramatically declared that the spirit world was dormant.”

“Well, that’s anticlimactic,” Erin muttered.

Lauren smiled. “Anyway, I need a few moments in the meditation room before the clients arrive.”

As her mother disappeared down the hall, Aubrey turned to Erin. “Do you really think going to a séance will help?”

Erin exhaled slowly. “It’s doubtful,” she admitted. “But I’m running out of ideas.”